RBC announces 2013 Aboriginal Student Awards Program recipients

TORONTO, September 20, 2013 - RBC today announced
its 2013 RBC Aboriginal Student Awards Program recipients.
Ten Aboriginal students will receive scholarships to offset
the costs of post-secondary tuition, textbooks, supplies and
living expenses during the academic year.

Committed to supporting Aboriginal youth in their education
journey, RBC will award each recipient with up to $4,000 annually,
for a maximum of four years, to help ease the financial strain
students often face when pursuing post-secondary education.

Aboriginal youth continue to represent one of the fastest-growing
segments of the Canadian population, yet statistically they
have a lower level of education than other Canadians,
said Chinyere Eni, national director, Aboriginal Markets,
RBC. Scholarships like this can support a students
post-secondary success by alleviating some of the financial
pressures that can get in the way of educational goals.

While education remains a critical component to improving
the social and economic strength of Aboriginal communities,
financial barriers continue to deter Aboriginal youth from
going to university or college. With the right resources,
they can achieve their career aspirations and give back to
their community.

Since the RBC Aboriginal Student Awards Program was launched
in 1992, over $1.3 million dollars has been awarded to 128
First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth across Canada
pursuing post-secondary education. RBC also considers scholarship
recipients who are interested in careers in financial services
for summer and post-graduate employment.

Applications for the 2014 RBC Aboriginal Student Awards
Program will be accepted from December 1, 2013 to February
28, 2014. Eligibility criteria and more information can be
found at rbc.com/careers/aboriginal_student_awards.

About RBC and Aboriginal Canadians
RBC has a proud history of strong relationships with Aboriginal
peoples. For more than 100 years, RBC has helped strengthen
First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada.
We are committed to serving Aboriginal governments, communities,
organizations, businesses and individuals by creating opportunities
for sustainable economic development through: access
to banking and capital; community
and social development; employment,
education and training; and procurement.
RBC also provides donations and grants that support Aboriginal
interests in three key areas: the environment, specifically
water; youth literacy and education; and culture and heritage.
For more information about these programs and more, visit
rbcroyalbank.com/aboriginal
and click on A Chosen Journey Annual: RBC Aboriginal
Partnership Report.